Monthly Archive: September 2017

As the topic of sex toys is often taboo, many individuals are unaware of the red flags they ought to avoid when buying ‘safe’ sex toys. Here are some valuable tips to consider:

Porosity – the first point to dwell on is the porosity of the toy. Many couples sex toys Australia are made of porous substances. If you are wondering what is problematic about this, it is the fact that porous substances easily allow for bacteria to thrive in their pores – this should make it clear why sticking porous toys into your nether regions is a big no. Furthermore, the design of these porous toys makes it very hard or near impossible to sterilize them properly. Now, if you have bought an expensive sex toy only to find out it is porous, do not fret. Whilst discouraged, there is no reason why you cannot use them in a safe way. You simply have to use a condom whenever using them.

Phthalates – as derivates of phthalic acid, phthalates are also known as ‘plasticizers’ – a type of substance which when added to plastics, can make them more flexible, transparent and durable. Phthalates have been linked, in many medical types of research, to various conditions ranging from ADHD to cancers – and are already banned from children’s toys. The problem is that there is no effective regulation with regards to bedroom toys, and thus, you can still find cheap sex toys with phthalates. Make sure to read the tags and information on materials used – even if the toy claims to be ‘phthalates-free’.

More harmful chemicals – phthalates are not the only harmful substance you need to worry about when shopping for sex toys. The big no-no’s you need to be on the lookout for include phenol, timethytin chloride, toluene, carbon disulphide, and heavy metals such as cadmium. If you or your partner is pregnant, then make sure to review the presence of harmful substances even more strictly – they can easily impact the nervous system of adults (and the effect on a foetus is not hard to understand as such).

Smell – finally, when picking sex toys, take a minute or two to smell them. A stronger, rubbery smell easily indicates the use of cheap materials in their production. Sex toys should smell no more unusual than regular toys should – any strong smell that turns you off is immediately a red flag for all concerned.By considering all of the above pointers, there are a few materials that are known to be safe. These include the medical-grade silicone, stainless steel varieties and borosilicate glass – all materials which are easy to clean and sterilize. On the other hand, materials that flout the above points are jelly rubber, latex rubber, PVC and vinyl, to name a few.